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Local restaurants, bars hit by new regulations and coronavirus concerns

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Updated: 7:00 PM CDT Mar 17, 2020

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RESTRICTIONS AFFECT LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH DIFFICULT TIMES. ST PADDY'S DAY IS USUALLY ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MICKEY FINN'S IRISH PUB - BUT THIS YEAR IS SHAPING UP TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT. <> "The unknowns are just frightening." ACCORDING TO OWNER MATT REARDON, MICKEY FINNS IS ONLY ON PACE TO HIT ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF THEIR EXPECTED SALES FOR THE DAY. <> "Are we going to be able to survive this and how long is this going to last, not only us, but every bar and every server and every bartender in this whole area." AND WITH NEW REGULATIONS SET IN PLACE TODAY, MICKEY FINN'S HAD TO ADAPT ON THE FLY. <> "We literally pulled out a tape measure, walked around and did the best we could, we had to pull two tables out completely." MICKEY FINN'S ORIGINALLY HAD FOUR DAYS OF ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THE HOLIDAY - MUCH OF WHICH WAS CANCELLED. AS FOR TODAY'S CELEBRATION... <> "The party will go on and it will be fun." AND PEOPLE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE A PLACE TO EAT, DRINK, AND SPORT THEIR SHAMROCKS AND GREEN. <> "I don't know if you want to consider it a Hallmark holiday, but it gives you an excuse to go out and try to have a little bit of fun. The Irish pub seems like the most logical place to go certainly. They have authentic Irish music, they have authentic Irish food. I didn't think we needed to put a damper on the holiday in any respect." THE CITY SAYS THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON ANY NEW INFORMATIO

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Local restaurants, bars hit by new regulations and coronavirus concerns

The city of Fayetteville released new regulations on restaurants and bars in an attempt to combat the spread of COVID-19. Those regulations include spacing out tables at least six feet apart, limiting party sizes to 10 or fewer, and changing maximum occupancy to 50% of restaurants' and bars' current total.For businesses like Mickey Finn's Irish Pub, the new regulations and concerns over the coronavirus are limiting sales on what is usually one of their most successful days of the year; St. Patrick's Day."I respect the leadership and what they are doing," said owner Matt Reardon. "It's extremely scary for us though."Mickey Finn's opened seven hours early for St. Patrick's Day and had to adapt on the fly when they heard the news of the new regulations."We literally pulled out a tape measure, walked around, and did the best we could. We had to pull two tables out completely," Reardon said.The Irish pub originally had four days of events planned for the holiday. The majority of those activities had to be cancelled, which is bad news for the business."We have probably seen our sales go down to about 20% of what we expected," said Reardon.According to the city of Fayetteville, the new regulations are subject to change at any time based on any new information that may arise about the spread of COVID-19.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —

The city of Fayetteville released new regulations on restaurants and bars in an attempt to combat the spread of COVID-19. Those regulations include spacing out tables at least six feet apart, limiting party sizes to 10 or fewer, and changing maximum occupancy to 50% of restaurants' and bars' current total.

For businesses like Mickey Finn's Irish Pub, the new regulations and concerns over the coronavirus are limiting sales on what is usually one of their most successful days of the year; St. Patrick's Day.

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"I respect the leadership and what they are doing," said owner Matt Reardon. "It's extremely scary for us though."

Mickey Finn's opened seven hours early for St. Patrick's Day and had to adapt on the fly when they heard the news of the new regulations.

"We literally pulled out a tape measure, walked around, and did the best we could. We had to pull two tables out completely," Reardon said.

The Irish pub originally had four days of events planned for the holiday. The majority of those activities had to be cancelled, which is bad news for the business.

"We have probably seen our sales go down to about 20% of what we expected," said Reardon.

According to the city of Fayetteville, the new regulations are subject to change at any time based on any new information that may arise about the spread of COVID-19.